This is a Log as we travel to keep us in touch with the real world. We spent a lot of time in the real world now we love the space in the travel world. We live and love full time in our motor home. We tow a Honda FIT to scout around in. We have driven to Alaska and all the lower 48 states. We parked and took a side trip to Hawaii. After traveling in over 20 countries we are most proud of the 1900+ miles we hiked on the Appalachian Trail. Our plans are to travel as long as our health allows.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Watch out for Bears in the Smokies

Here I am feeding some horses along the trail. The trail sometimes goes right through a pasture with livestock.

My steady beside the ever present white blaze of the AT

This is the stuff in our packs when we started. We did cut back some, but I still had over 50 pounds and Sherry over 30.

Today's insightful entry..... LOL

Just a little more on hiking and I will have to digress to the Smokies again. We stopped at Spence Field Shelter for the night. I was pretty scruffy, after about four days in the woods. I sat on a Rock in front of the shelter. I looked up and here was a neat young couple coming up the trail, they were not hikers and were dressed very lightly. The girl walked up to me and said, “Excuse me, but do you live here?”

I explained it was a hiker’s shelter and my wife and I were there for the night. We passed the time of day and they went on past the shelter on a side trail. I thought they would get lost, I did not hear any more about them, so they must have made it. They were staying at Cades Cove, and the trail they took did not go there.

Sherry just hates to hike without a bath. So just as soon as we stop for the day she heads off into the woods or the privy, and using ‘handi-wipes’ gives herself a bath. She never gets stinky like most hikers. LOL

The one reason I mention Spence Field Shelter is an incident that happened a few days later. We hike slow so the hikers behind us catch up and pass. One night we spent the night over looking a beautiful valley and a young hiker came in late. Everyone swaps trail stories but he had a good one. He stayed at Spence shelter a couple nights after us. In the morning he was preparing to leave, but took a run down to the privy, leaving his pack. He heard a growl and saw a bear dragging his pack off. He said he actually ran and did a tug of war with the bear for the pack, but lost. The bear dragged it off a piece and started going through the pack. He ate what food he could find along with his trail meds, Ibuprophen, salve etc. Then he left the pack. That was the only ‘bad bear’ encounter we heard of.

At night most hikers throw a rope over a tree limb and pull their packs up in the air away from animals, especially bears. You hang it after you have eaten and leave all food in the pack. You don’t want to invite the bear into your tent with the smell of chocolate or peanut butter.

God Bless America and God Bless all allied troops who are in harms way.Nite ShipslogPS:'Those who hammer their guns into plows willplow for those who do not.' ~ Thomas Jefferson

***** The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.

***** Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than any other time of day.

***** Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.

***** The REAL reason ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water.

I believe I would have to think a little beforeI had a tub of war with the bear. I remember when our family camped in the Hintogas (sp)andthe bear wanted our food that was in the trunkof the car where Mother and I had bedded downfor the night. What a night.

Me...swallow a spider...in my sleep???? saints preserve us....gonna tape my mouth shut from now on before I go to sleep....thanks so much Jack...you give us food (sorry for the pun!!) for thought....but sometimes I would rather you didn't...and as for hiking...you enjoy...and sherry too....I am no hiker...unless it is around Walmart LOLOL...but that is flat...no bears....only a thief from time to time who will take your purse if possible....don't know which is worse??? anyway...have a great time...wherever you are!!!! hugs...Ora

Children's Book (Toby's Tales)

The childrens's book introduces Paula the poet of http://pl78064.blogspot.com/ Paulinescountrytales. IT is a short story book, Mixture of Children's stories and for those in their second child hood. Great to have around to read to the kids, grand kids and great grand kids. See the short review at:

BOOKS IN THE BELMONT AREA

My books are available locally at:Jeri-Lyn's Boutique423 East Catawba St.Belmont, NC704 825 8615Hrs: Mon-Sat 12-7Stop by and say Hello, You will love the shop!